The Art Newspaper

Richard Hamilton, 1922-2011

The Father of Pop has died, aged 89

By Helen Stoilas. Web only
Published online: 13 September 2011

Richard Hamilton (Photo: Chris Davies, © British Council Archive)

British artist Richard Hamilton, often called the Father of Pop, died early this morning, aged 89.

Hamilton studied at the Royal Academy Schools and Slade School of Fine Art, both in London, before teaching at King’s College, University of Durham, from 1953 to 1966. His most well known collage work, Just what is it that makes today’s homes so different, so appealing? (1956), was created for the Whitechapel Art Gallery’s interdisciplinary exhibition “This Is Tomorrow”, one of the shows that launched the burgeoning British pop art movement.

He remained active up until his death and was working on a major museum retrospective scheduled to travel to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, London and Madrid in 2013 and 2014, according to Gagosian Gallery.

The Art Newspaper interviewed Richard Hamilton ten years ago, in connection with major shows of his work in Barcelona and London (see related story link above).